After launching four home runs in three games and showing clear improvements to his swing, the Cubs’ top infield prospect appears poised to rejoin the major league club. He was scratched from Triple-A Iowa’s lineup on Sunday, and manager Craig Counsell later acknowledged that his return is “under consideration” as the team heads to Miami for a road trip.
He, 23, opened the 2025 season as the Cubs’ everyday third baseman but struggled early, posting a .172 average and a .535 OPS in 18 games. He was sent back to Triple-A with a clear directive: make adjustments and prove you’re ready. Since then, Shaw has done just that — and made sure everyone noticed.
Over his last 19 games with Iowa, the in coming has slashed .338/.437/.676 with a 1.112 OPS, hitting six home runs, driving in 14, and walking more times (12) than he struck out (10). Beyond the numbers, it’s the how that has impressed the Cubs.
“He went back down with the goal of refining some things,” said Cubs GM Carter Hawkins on Cubs Pregame Live Sunday. “The focus was on controlling his mechanics and improving his timing — and we’re starting to see that pay off.”
The most notable tweak? A revamped leg kick. Shaw’s once-prominent high leg lift was believed to be disrupting his timing against big-league heat. After some reluctance, he embraced a more compact version, and the results have been significant — improved timing, stronger contact, and a return to the power metrics that defined his rise through the minors.
Meanwhile, the Cubs have struggled to find production at third base in Shaw’s absence. Veterans Jon Berti, Nicky Lopez, and Vidal Bruján have combined for a dismal 28 wRC+ and -0.6 WAR since his demotion, making third base a clear weak spot in an otherwise strong lineup. With Shaw trending up and the position in flux, the timing for a promotion feels right.
“We’re trying to win games and give our players the best chance to succeed,” Counsell said. “There’s a point where you say, ‘Yeah, it’s time to give this another look.’”
Sunday’s 6-2 win over the White Sox capped a weekend fueled by the Cubs’ emerging talent — from Pete Crow-Armstrong’s star-level performance to Cade Horton’s second win to Moisés Ballesteros’ first big-league hit. Bringing Shaw back would mark another step in that youth-driven surge.
The Cubs are winning, but long-term success hinges on internal growth. With Shaw checking both the development and performance boxes, his return to Wrigley seems all but certain — and this time, he’s ready to stick.